Taft College Bilingual Vocational Education and Support

Description: This practice is
designed to provide viable career opportunities to students of
limited English capabilities, and to provide these same students
with opportunities for successful college experiences that will
inspire students to learn English and continue their education. The
practice targets five significant obstacles inhibiting college level
participation of students of limited English proficiency:

The English language

Transportation

Child care

Social inhibitions

Limited access to and capabilities with computer technology

Solutions to each of the four difficulties listed above are, in
order:

Provide in class bilingual translators in Welding, Automotive
Technology, and Early Childhood Education.

Provide help with enrollment, social integration, book purchases,
and other aspects of campus life.

Provide community service classes taught in the Spanish language in
computer technology.

The program is staffed by Bilingual translators in Welding,
Automotive Technology, and Early Childhood Education, a Bus driver,
Childcare workers (already in place), a Bilingual counselor (already
in place), a Bilingual teacher for community service classes.

The practice makes use of:

Headphones for in class translations during lectures.

Translation software.

Some Spanish language books (where available) to be used as
supplements.

The program has been funded by VTEA, Verizon Foundation and Housing
and Urban Development grants, and local sources. No formal marketing
practices were used. Students commonly spoke to friends, who shared
their enthusiasm for the program with others. There is considerable
anecdotal evidence that suggests that students with limited English
proficiency are progressing in their abilities with English,
advancing to more difficult courses, and finding jobs.

Program implementers recommend that to replicate the practice, other
colleges should start by targeting one course or one discipline in a
vocational area and fund a bilingual in-class translator.

This website and all activities conducted by the Perkins 1B funded Statewide Leadership Collaborative for Special Populations Grant (17-0165) are funded
in part by the Chancellor's Office, California Community Colleges.